GSA Calendar December 2024

My Good School every Sunday

1st December 

Lina Ashar

Dreamtime Learning
- My Name Is Cinnamon reading by Jugjiv Singh

8th December

Amardeep Singh

Screening of Episode 12
Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels
- The Inner Life Of Animals - reading by Sandeep Dutt

Sunbeam Schools #JoyOfLearning

Varanasi YES Workshop for students and Joy Of Giving for teachers from 12th December to 16th December.

15th December

My Name Is Cinnamon - Jugjiv Singh

The Inner Life Of Animals - Sandeep Dutt

22nd December

Meeting with Anika Singh of VOYCE, a Social Artist.

https://www.voyce.in

The Inner Life Of Animals - Sandeep Dutt

28th December 

The Impact Team Meeting at 7:00 pm

WhatsApp Group Call

29th December
My Name Is Cinnamon - Jugjiv Singh
The Inner Life Of Animals - Sandeep Dutt
Reflections for 2024 - learning outcomes from the YES Workshops at Varanasi.

Good Schools India Journal

2nd December

Reading for a Living

Sandeep Dutt
15th December
2 Girls 1 Mic - Oshi and Simar 
27th December 
Where Passion Meets Education

The Teacher's Academy

Masterclass every Saturday at 5:30 pm
7th, 14th, 21st and 28th December

Book reading:

Shomie Das, The Man Who Saw Tomorrow

Masterclass by Sandeep Dutt

JDS School Reflections - Sunday 24th November 2024

If you could have one animal with you forever, which animal would be?
I already have a kitten as a pet which I found it injured, outside my house. I named her brownie. Firstly Brownie is scared of us ,but slowly started connecting with us. Now I am greatly attached to her. Brownie always lays on my lap when I study. Brownie is my loving pet.

Name- Lavneet
Grade- 9th
Jhamkudevi Sen.Sec. School

If you could have one animal with you forever, which animal would be?

If I could have an animal with me forever, I’d probably choose a dog. They’re loyal, loving and form deep bonds with their companions. Plus, they’re great at providing emotional support and keeping life fun and active.

Name - Anjali

Grade - 9th Rose

Jhamkudevi Sen Sec School

Humans and animals :their relationship 

When a person adopts an animal, they love, care and give time to it. We can make a strong relationships with an animal. After all animals become our best friend, they also protect, love and care for us. 

Name- Harshpreet

Grade- 7th

Jhamkudevi sr. Sec. School

           

Sunbeam School Reflections - Sunday 24th November 2024

 

My Name is Cinnamon 

In 'My Name is Cinnamon' by Vikas Prakash Joshi, Cinnamon’s feelings upon meeting his birth parents would likely be a complex blend of emotions. As an adopted child who has grown up in a loving home, his identity and sense of belonging are deeply rooted in his adoptive family. However, meeting his birth parents could spark curiosity, excitement, and perhaps even anxiety or confusion.

Cinnamon might feel a sense of gratitude for the life that he’s been given, but he also requires a need for closure or understanding about why he was given up for adoption. He could struggle to reconcile his current identity with this new connection to his origins. Depending on the circumstances of the meeting and his birth parents’ story, he might experience empathy, forgiveness or even sadness.

Name- Simrat Kaur 

Grade - 9th 

Sunbeam English School Bhagwanpur 

We aren't a part of nature, we are nature

The phrase 'we aren't a part of nature, we are nature' suggests a rethinking of our relationship with the natural world. At its core, this statement challenges the conventional view that humans are separate from or somehow above, the environment and all its components. Instead, it emphasizes our intrinsic connection to the planet and the ecosystems around us. 
Human Origins: Humans have evolved over millions of years alongside other species. Our biological makeup is a product of the Earth’s ecological systems. Our ancestors lived in harmony with nature, relying on it for food, shelter, and community. This deep-rooted connection means that we are fundamentally a part of the Earth's biological fabric.
Interconnectedness: Every element of nature is interconnected—plants, animals, water, air and soil all depend on each other for survival. Humans, as one species within this vast system are equally part of this web of life.

Name- Sanvi Rai

Sunbeam Hostel, Bhagwanpur.

Reflection Sunday 24th November 2024

 Sunday School No. 164

Reflection of the week-

-From My Name Is Cinnamon-

1. What was your takeaway from the session today?

2. What were the key points in the chapter?

3. Journey of self-discovery

4. Being honest with ourselves

5. If he met his birth parents, how would Cinnamon feel?

6. What was driving Cinnamon's curiosity? What would you do in his place?

7. When have you ever felt excitement and fear at the same time?

8. When you feel doubt in your life, how do you deal with it?

- From The Inner Life Of Animals –

1. We aren't a part of nature, we are nature- Comment.

2. What is your takeaway from today’s session?

3. How would you feel if Robin was your pet?

4. Humans and Animals: their relationship

5. If you could have one animal with you forever, which animal would it be?

6. How would you like if an animal voluntarily came to live with you?

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections! You can email your reflections at - mk@learningforward.org.in

We want to invite interns to apply for the following positions for the year 2025:

1.⁠ ⁠My Good School Captain 

2.⁠ ⁠Podcast Station Manager

3.⁠ ⁠The Teacher’s Academy Ambassador 

4.⁠ ⁠My Good School Retreat Ambassador 

5.⁠ ⁠YouTube Channel Manager

6.⁠ ⁠Blogger Editors - two ✌️ 

7.⁠ ⁠Joy of Giving Ambassador 

Who can apply?

You are a registered intern 

Attend My Good School

You should have posted a Reflection

Do you have time to post now, too? The last date to apply is November 30th, 2024.

If needed, we will conduct a poll on 15 December 2024 for the school captain position and 

other positions.

Email your expression of interest with a short message on how you will contribute 

To LF@EBD.IN

Meeting summary for My Good School (11/24/2024) Quick recap Sandeep and Manisha discussed the upcoming workshop schedule and the importance of gratitude, while Jugjiv led a discussion about the book they were reading and the protagonist's struggles with adoption. The group also discussed various personal experiences, emotions, and thoughts, as well as the challenges and potential solutions for the lives of tribal communities in India. The conversation ended with Sandeep sharing his personal experiences with animals and introducing the concept of selective breeding, while also announcing the availability of various positions for interns at My Good School. Here are the key action items from the meeting: • All participants to read and engage with the Joy of Learning Diaries posts, including commenting and reflecting on them. • Interested students to apply for open positions at My Good School by November 30th. All participants to download and explore "The Teacher" app when it is released. • Manisha and Jugjiv to join Sandeep for TheTeacherApp release event on November 25th. • All participants to listen to the upcoming podcast with Lina Asher, to be released on Friday. • Students to write reflections on the meeting content in various formats (text, voice, video, drawing, etc.). • Students to research and reflect on topics mentioned, such as Galapagos Islands, tundra, and genetic manipulation in dog breeding. • Participants to consider applying for My Good School internships if not already registered. All participants to tune in to the upcoming Masterclass and My Good School live sessions on YouTube from Varanasi on December 14th and 15th. Summary Workshop Schedule and Book Discussion Sandeep and Manisha discussed the upcoming workshop schedule, with Sandeep clarifying that they will only conduct one workshop on the 12th, followed by a day to explore the school campus. The second day will involve Amitha conducting a session with Sandeep, and the third day will be dedicated to a master class on YouTube, which will be live-streamed to all Sunbeam branches. Sandeep also mentioned that he will be meeting Meenakshi at Khan Farm for lunch on Tuesday. Jugjiv then led a discussion about the book they were reading, focusing on the protagonist's struggles with adoption and his journey towards self-discovery. The group also discussed the importance of gratitude and the role of a psychologist in helping the protagonist. Baba's Trip and Socio Acquisition Jugjiv discussed the recap of the previous chapter as Baba's recent trip to Delhi, where he had gone for over a week. Baba returned home without immediately unpacking his baggage or sharing his trip experiences. Cinnamon, who had accompanied Baba, was disappointed as Baba usually brought back interesting items and stories from his trips. The family later discovered that Baba had been discussing something important with his wife, Ma, which led to a conversation about a report. The family also discussed the history of Socio, a homegrown fresh juice-based carbonated drink from Surat, and the recent acquisition of a 50% share in the company by Reliance. Cinnamon's Quest for Biological Parents Jugjiv discussed the desire of a character named Cinnamon to meet his biological parents. Cinnamon's father, Baba, agreed to help and they went to the Adoption Agency. They were able to contact Reshma Gawali, a local businessman who is in touch with Cinnamon's mother, Aditi Govet. However, the meeting with Aditi did not go well, as indicated by Ma's emotional state. The family's dynamics were affected by this revelation, with Ma becoming withdrawn and only coming out for chicken soup. The situation remained unresolved for several days. Exploring Characters' Emotions and Thoughts Jugjiv led a discussion about the emotions and thoughts of characters in a story. The group discussed Cinnamon's mother's concerns and her potential fear of losing Cinnamon. They also explored Cinnamon's curiosity and desire to know more about himself. The conversation touched on the challenges faced by the characters, such as the possibility of adoption and the difficulties of living in a tribal community. The group also discussed the concept of Adivasis, the original inhabitants of India, and their unique way of living in tune with nature. The conversation ended with plans to move on to the next chapter of the story. Tribal Communities, Malnutrition, and Reflections Jugjiv led a discussion about the challenges and potential solutions for the lives of tribal communities in India. The participants debated whether it's right to try and integrate these communities into mainstream society, with some arguing that they should be allowed to live their traditional way of life. The issue of malnutrition was also raised, with Jugjiv noting that India has a poor record on stunting in children. The group also shared personal experiences of using public toilets, with Sandeep praising the cleanliness of a particular facility. The conversation ended with a reflection on the joy of giving, with Sandeep suggesting a story about Solob International as a potential reflection. Balancing Excitement and Fear in Life In the meeting, Jugjiv led a discussion about the experience of excitement and fear together, using the example of a character in a story who is excited to meet his real parents but fearful of rejection. The participants shared their own experiences of feeling both excitement and fear, such as before exams or big matches. Jugjiv emphasized the importance of acknowledging and dealing with doubts, suggesting that one must have faith in oneself and take action to overcome them. The group also discussed the importance of addressing negative thoughts and the need for self-confidence. The conversation ended with a discussion about a bus toilet situation, where a woman named Ma stood up for the passengers and successfully got the toilet cleaned. Standing Up for Rights and Learning In the meeting, Jugjiv discussed an incident where he stood up for others and highlighted the importance of standing up for one's rights. He also shared a personal experience of trying to make a complaint to Amazon, which was difficult. Sandeep then emphasized the importance of reading and reflecting on the "Joy of Learning" diaries, which are shared with the group. He encouraged everyone to read and comment on the diaries, as it is an important part of the learning process. Sandeep also mentioned that the diaries can be searched by name, allowing individuals to review their own reflections. Joy of Learning Diaries Discussion Jugjiv and Sandeep discussed various posts on the Joy of Learning Diaries, particularly focusing on posts by Anjali and Nancy. They appreciated the depth and emotion conveyed in these posts, especially Anjali's "Life from the Eyes of Trees" and Nancy's "Meeting Birth Parents." Sandeep also highlighted the importance of loving books and oneself, drawing from his own experiences with raising a chick. The group also discussed the concept of love across species, with Sandeep sharing his experience of raising a chick and the strong bond that formed between them. The conversation ended with Sandeep encouraging everyone to share their bookshelves or books by their side. Animal Bonding and Internship Opportunities Sandeep shared his personal experiences with animals, highlighting the bond he formed with a stray puppy named Doggie. He also discussed the challenges of raising bottle-fed chicks and the importance of understanding animal emotions. Sandeep then introduced the concept of selective breeding and its impact on animal behavior, using the example of French Bulldogs. He also discussed the potential for animals to form voluntary relationships with humans, citing the example of a curious reindeer herd in Lapland. Sandeep concluded by announcing the availability of various positions for interns at My Good School, including School Captain, Podcast Station Manager, and Joy of Giving Ambassador. He encouraged everyone to apply and emphasized the importance of reflection and creativity in their work.

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The Doon School Visit - Arthur Foot Academy

मेरा नाम नाहिद है। मुझे  सब से अच्छा लगा वहा का संदेश और हेडमास्टर जगप्रीत सिंह सर के साथ खाना खाने का सौ भाग्य लगा |

मेरा नाम साना है। The Doon School  की ख़ूबसूरती और अनुशासन देख कर मुझे बहुत अच्छा लगा |

मेरा नाम आयुष है | मेरे को सबसे अच्छा लगा खेलने का मैदान और संगीत की क्लास|  Thank you The Doon School.

मेरा नाम दीपिका है | मुझे सबसे अच्छी वहा की लाइब्रेरी  और पढ़ाई करने का तरीका लगा | दून स्कूल को धन्यवाद |

 मेरा नाम रितिक है | मुझे  सबसे अच्छा लगा वहा की पढ़ाई , खेल के मैदान और वर्कशॉप, आदि | धन्यवाद दून स्कूल |

मेरा नाम अनित है | मुझे सबसे अच्छा लगा क्लबर कार और मिट्टी से बने बर्तन जो  दून स्कूल के बच्चों ने बना रखे थे |  दून स्कूल को धन्यवाद |

मेरे नाम विधि है | मुझे  वहां घुमने और हरे भरे पेड़ पोधे  बहुत अच्छे लगें| धन्यवाद दून स्कूल|

मेरा नाम अक्षी कौर है | मेरे को सबसे अच्छा लगा लकड़ी और मिट्टी से बनी वस्तुए और   हमे  सब बच्चों को  और अध्यापको के  साथ  घुमने का अवसर प्राप्त  हुआ | दून स्कूल को धन्यवाद |

मैं समद मुझें द दून स्कूल के अध्यापक अच्छे लगे और वहाँ के बच्चों की बनाई हुई कला आकृतियों पेंटिंग अच्छी लगी, तथा मुझे वहाँ पर संगीत नाच कक्षाएँ भी काफी अच्छी लगी, खेलने का मैदान साफ सुंदर लग रहा था | खेलने के मैदान को देखकर मैं ये सोच रहा था कि हमारे स्कूल में भी एक ऐसा ही मैदान होता तो हम भी अच्छे से अलग अलग प्रकार के खेल खेला करते । अभी तक मैंने अपने जीवन में द दून स्कूल जैसा विद्यायल नहीं देखा ।

मैं प्रिंशी कौर मुझे द दून स्कूल में पेड़ पौधे मिटटी से बनाई हुई आकृतियों और लकडी से वस्तुएँ तथा खेलने का मैदान काफी अच्छा लगा।

Sunbeam Lahartara- My Good School Retreat 2024

Day- 0 

We were the first to arrive at Khan Farm for the Retreat. We met Manisha Khanna, ma'am, who introduced us to the members and took us around the farm to explore. After that, we waited for others to arrive, started our playtime, and chatted with the others to bond with them.

Grade -IX D

Shubh Jaiswal

Day- 1

We went for a walk around, enjoying the nature around us. Then we went on to Arthur Foot Academy, where we celebrated Children's Day and donated them some stationery and saw their faces light up with joy along the way their faces were. In the afternoon, we went back to Khan Farm and had a session with Amit Sachdeva sir, where we explored the meaning of 'giving' and tried to find a way to do it. After that, we had an art session with Feroza Ma'am, where we displayed our creativity about nature with our drawings.

Grade -IX D 

Divyanshu Singh

Day- 2

Our second day starts with jungle walking early at Khan Farm. After getting ready, we did our school project and represented our school and its culture. Then, in the afternoon, we had a session with Sandeep Dutt, sir, in which we read three books: "Is Your Child Ready to Face the World", " Inner Life of Animals" and "Shomie Das, The Man Who Saw Tomorrow". Then, in the evening, there was a cultural program in which we sang a patriotic song, 'Mera Mulk', and recited a beautiful poem on our city, 'Kashi'. Then we celebrated our night and danced with the students of JDS and Gyanoday, members of My Good School.

Grade -IX D 

Prashant Singh Kushwaha

Day 3

On our last day, we started with dispersal from the Khan Farm, where we presented our token of love with a thank you note to Ms Firoza Khan, owner of Khan Farm. From there, we departed to The Doon Boys Schools, explored the campus, and met the Headmaster, Mr Jagpreet Singh. All the school departed for their journey home. we headed to Doon Girls' school, as our train scheduled for on 17th Nov. We had dinner there and then returned to our destination. That was all of the Dehradun trip.

Grade -IX D 

Anmol Kashyap

JDS School - My Good School Retreat 2024

DAY 1

Joy of Giving

The Retreat began with a walk on Khan farm, where we explored more about birds, plants, and animals. We also went to Arthur Foot Academy. There, we celebrated Children's Day, which included dances and speeches from Khan sir and our special guests, Mr. Amit Sachdeva, Mr. Sandeep Dutt, and Mr. Assad. Then, we helped AFA children with some stationery, decorated their class board with handmade flowers, and found real happiness in giving. The evening session was completed with our reading session.

Parnaz Singh

Grade-7th

DAY 2

Joy Of Learning 

First, we went for a jungle walk, saw different kinds of trees and tree houses, and enjoyed ourselves a lot in the lap of nature. In the presentation session,  all the schools help to explore and learn more about service, skills, sports, and study by representing the timetable and calendar of their school. Then we attended the GSA meeting, where we studied the inner life of animals and learned more about facing the world's challenges with Sandeep sir. In the evening, we explored the treasure hunt. And the memories were made more robust by dancing and enjoying the retreat to its fullest.

Prabhveer Kaur

Grade-7th

Day 3

Joy Of Exploring

On 16th November, we visited The Doon School, one of the best schools in India. We had many more beautiful experiences in the design and technology lab. There, we saw students of the Doon School making different types of metal and wood things. We also learned a lot about the art and creativity of the Doon School students. We went to music school, where we.

We Explored different types of musical Instruments. We also went to the library of the Doon school. That was a wonderful and exciting experience for all of us. The greetings of the Doon school staff were very warm. Finally, we visited the office of My Good School, which Sandeep sir very well maintained. Also, we got a chance to see the Bookshop, where we bought books to enhance our knowledge. Last but not least, it was a wonderful experience for all of us.

Harpreet Kaur

Grade-7th

JDS Reflections - My Good School on 15th and 17th Nov 2024

How are humans different from animals?

Humans differ from animals primarily in advanced cognitive abilities, language, culture, morality, and the use of complex tools, allowing for abstract thought, creativity, and societal development.

Name - Anjali

Grade - 9th Rose

Jhamkudevi Sen Sec School 

Selfless Mother's love 

A mother's love can not be expressed in words. A mother loves her kids more than anything else in the world. Never wants anything in return from her kids. The finest and purest form of love if anyone can get is the love of one's mother. Also, a child learns more from the hardships his mother has faced in her life. The mother is the only one in the world who ever takes care of her kids. She never thinks of losing them in front of her eyes.

Ms. Suman

Teacher co-ordinator

Jhamkudevi Sen Sec School 

Reflection Sunday 17th November 2024

Check out our brand new signboard—it's here, and it looks absolutely amazing!

Sunday School No. 163

Guru Nanak Docuseries-

1. What was your takeaway from the session today? 

2. What were the key points in the episode? 

3. Wisdom, Right Knowledge, and Intellect- How can you connect with these?

- From Hidden Life Of Animals -
1. Did the story connect with you today, and why?
2. Find out about-
a. biological automatons
b. Leipzig and what it is famous for?
c. magnetic resonance imaging
3. What is instinct according to you?
4. How can we compare animal emotions with human emotions?
5. How are humans different from animals?

Key Takeaways

• The documentary series on Guru Nanak's travels highlights the interconnectedness of different philosophies and cultures across India.
• Recent school visits, especially to Doon School, provided valuable learning experiences for students and teachers from rural areas.
• There's an emphasis on regular reflections and sharing of learnings among the community members.
• The group uses various WhatsApp groups and online platforms to facilitate communication and learning.

Guru Nanak Documentary Discussion

• Explored Guru Nanak's travels through Assam, Nagaland, Bangladesh, and West Bengal.
• Highlighted similarities between Guru Nanak's philosophy and local traditions in these regions.
• Discussed the concept of oneness and the universality of emotions across species.

Recent The Doon School Visit

• Students from Arthur Foot Academy visited Doon School, marking their first trip to an urban area.
• The visit highlighted the disparity in exposure between rural and urban students.
• Emphasized the importance of such experiences in broadening students' perspectives.

Reflection Practices

• Encouraged regular reflections from all participants, including teachers and students.
• Discussed various platforms for sharing reflections, including WhatsApp groups and online diaries.
• Stressed the importance of consistent engagement and sharing of thoughts.

Community Structure and Communication

• Explained the purpose and use of different WhatsApp groups:
• My Good School: For general discussions and reflections
• Teachers Academy: For teacher-specific content
• Impact Team: For assessment and evaluation
• Joy of Giving: Focused on Arthur Foot Academy project

Book Discussion

• Reviewed chapters from a book discussing animal emotions and instincts.
• Drew parallels between animal and human behaviors, emphasizing the universality of emotions.

Next Steps

• Participants to send reflections on recent experiences, including the Doon School visit.
• Continue regular engagement in various WhatsApp groups and online platforms.
• Implement learnings from recent experiences in respective educational settings.
• Improve the technical setup for future online meetings based on today's experience with new equipment.

Action Items

• Create reflection piece with probing questions from The Doon School visit. Add to Joy of Learning Diaries. 
• Write/send reflection on The Doon School visit to Manisha. Post in My Good School WhatsApp grp. 
• Write/send reflection on Doon School visit to Manisha. Post in My Good School WhatsApp grp. 
• Post announcements for upcoming sessions in My Good School WhatsApp grp. 

Students and teacher may create a school newsletter incorporating Joy of Learning content.

These are some suggestions. We're looking forward to your excellent and thoughtful reflections, which you can email to mk@learningforward.org.in

In case you missed the session today, reply the video:

Reflections - My Good School Retreat 15th November 2024

My Good School Retreat 2024 - November 15

To conduct a My Good School retreat session focused on discussing animal behavior and emotions through the book "The Inner Life of Animals" by Peter Wohlleben.

Key Takeaways

• The group explored the concept of animal emotions, particularly maternal love, through the first chapter of the book
• Participants learned about squirrel behavior, including their nesting habits, food caching, and interactions with other animals
• The discussion highlighted how human perceptions of animals are often influenced by emotions rather than objective observation
• The session emphasized that maternal love is not exclusive to humans and exists across species, though with variations in its expression and development

Topics

Book Introduction and Context

• The group is reading "The Inner Life of Animals" by Peter Wohlleben
• The book explores animal emotions and behaviors, challenging assumptions about human uniqueness
• The author uses scientific research and personal observations to illustrate animal experiences

Squirrel Behavior and Survival

• Squirrels demonstrate maternal care by carrying babies on their necks
• They build nests (dreys) in trees, using soft materials for comfort
• Squirrels cache food for winter, but often forget locations, leading to natural tree planting
• Their survival strategies include spiral descent to avoid predators like hawks

Animal Emotions and Human Perceptions

• The group discussed how humans categorize animals based on appearance and perceived usefulness
• Squirrels were used as an example of how perceptions can shift (e.g., from cute to predatory)
• The discussion emphasized that animals act primarily for survival, not to be "good" or "bad"

Maternal Love Across Species

• The chapter explored whether maternal love is innate or learned
• Hormones like oxytocin play a role in bonding for both humans and animals
• Human capacity for learned love (e.g., adoption) was contrasted with more instinctive animal behaviors
• Examples of interspecies bonding were mentioned (e.g., cats caring for human infants)

Next Steps

• Participants encouraged to watch related movies/documentaries (e.g., Born Free, Lion King)
• Research Jane Goodall's work with chimpanzees for further insights on animal behavior.
• Reconvene at 5:30 PM for the Teacher's Academy session to continue book discussion.
• Local retreat participants to engage in a treasure hunt during the break.

Think it over

1. Did the story connect with you today, and why?  

2. Find out about- 

a. dreys

b. nests of animals

3. How do animals prepare their nest? Which material is required by the animals to make their nest?

4. Winter, however, is more devastating than any predator. Who does the writer refer to ?

5. What will happen if there will be no food chain?

6. What is selfless mother's love according to you?